Back At It

Well all good things come to an end, and that includes weekends. It is now time to stop enjoying the fruits of our labors and stick our noses back to the grindstone and start another week of work.

I had a very productive weekend, Michelle and I got a lot done and even managed to get on the rails to trails yesterday evening for a nice little weekend ending walk with Sadie. It was nice yesterday evening and we just couldn't pass up on the opportunity to go out and enjoy ourselves.

We spent part of yesterday setting up Michelle's iPhone and making personal to her and unique to her. She still has a lot of contacts to do and synchronize, but we have her voice mail, e-mail and calender syncing and her e-mail set up. Now she just need to create a new contact list to is compatible with her new phone.

Hi ho hi ho

New Phones

After nearly three years using my old iPhone 3G, and being a couple versions behind the times, I finally decided to update my phone and add Michelle to my plan.

My choice was easy, I got the new iPhone 4G and Michelle stayed back a model and chose the iPhone 3GS as her phone. This is her first smart phone, I think it is going to have to grow on her as she starts to get acclimated to it.

My upgrade was simple, just had to plug my phone in and ht restore from backup and walla, my old Phone's settings, aps and contacts were all transfered to my new iPhone.

It was time to upgrade, I thought I was going to lose my unlimited data package, but I did not and was able to retain it.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

I went to bed early last night, which mean I am up waaaay too early this morning, so the house is quiet I might as well write my daily BLOG.

Not really much on our agenda today, most of the things we wanted to get done we actually managed to get done last night after work, so this is an "us" day to do whatever we want. The weather looks to be a little less than cooperative, so that may have some limits on what we actually do manage to do.

We talked about possibly going to go and see a movie. I thought the movie Hall Pass looked like it may be an entertaining movie. It was made by the same people who made Something About Mary, so it looks to be a good light hearted comedy.

Have a great Saturday.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday.

Well the weather is not going to be quite as nice as it was last weekend, but I'll take it. I'll take this kind of weather over cold and snow any day of the week.

No weekend plans yet for me and Michelle other than our typical weekend plans. Milanos later tonight for dinner and we are going to have to make a stop at Comcast for a digital converter box for Chad's room.

Let's get this weekend party started. Hi ho hi ho

OK It's Official

In the past week Mine and Michelle's wedding plans have started to take shape. Rented and no longer available to us were a couple venues that we were debating with since last fall.

Wouldn't you know everything seems to have a way to work out. We secured a venue on Monday that we both felt the most comfortable with among the four we considered. I said I didn't want to post anything about it until it was paid for with receipt and permit in hand. Considering it was all done by phone, I had to wait for the mail. Well, it is now official.

Our wedding reception venue will officially be the Marilla Center on August 6th. We held Valarie's wedding there back in 2003, the facility has been completely redone since then. New floors, Air Conditioning has been installed, a sound system is already in place with two flat screen TV's, new tables and new chairs.

Now with a date set, a venue for the reception, the person actually marrying us and a first draft of the guest list in place, it is time to start making this happen.

In the coming months we will be organizing menus, recruiting many family members and a few close friends to lend a hand doing various things. If anyone would like to help, we would appreciate it and tell us what you would like to do.

Hump Day

Ok, what is with this cold weather? Lat week we were looking at 60°F and now it's below freezing, cold and just not the most desirable of of weather conditions for someone like me.

Well we are at midweek for some of you people working the full week this week. I was off Monday, so it really doesn't feel like midweek just yet. Maybe tomorrow and by that time it'll be Thursday and I'll be ready for the weekend.

Anyone notice Comcast switched completely away from Analog yesterday early in the morning. If you don't have a Digital TV or a converter box, you are going to be out of luck until you get one. Chad's TV is currently useless and I need to pick up a couple of converter boxes to be able to bring his back online plus any additional ones we want.

Oh well, Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* After a nice relaxing Monday off, we are looking down the barrel of a Tuesday, can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits other than that.

* It has been 1,075 days since mine and Michelle's first date.

* It has been 298 days since our engagement.

* There are 165 days until the wedding.

* Speaking of the wedding, as I mentioned last week our first two venues were not available for the date we needed, HOWEVER a venue we both liked much more than is available. More to come once we sign the contract and secure the facility which should be very soon. UPDATE since I initially wrote this: venue has been reserved and paid for in full. It is ours for August 6th, 2011. I'll announce on BLOG when we have paperwork in hand, this was done by phone. Michelle and I looked at it from the outside Friday afternoon. I think at least people in my family will be very impressed with the upgrades made at this location since the last time we used it.

* Wedding planning is starting to get a head of steam. We spent last fall putting our initial guest list together and speaking to a few key people who we would like to be involved with the wedding. Now the budget money is in place, we'll secure the facility and then it will be full steam ahead.

* We have our theme in place for the wedding and reception. We want to do a small ceremony and concentrate most of our resources on the party/celebration/reception afterwards. Nothing has been finalized, just discussed to this point.

* Hi ho hi ho

Presidents Day

It used to be George Washington's Birthday, but now it is called President's Day. Either way it is a Federal Holiday for me so I'll just say thank you to our founding father for the three day weekend.

Michelle has to work, but I'm off for the day so I won't be getting into to much.

Have a great day.

Relaxing Day

After a nice and productive day yesterday, maybe we'll take the day and relax being that the weather is going to be a little less than cooperative today.

It could be a movie kind of a day as after our weekly shopping trip, there is nothing else really planned unless the weather all of a sudden gets nicer.

Morgantown was a little nicer yesterday thanks to Bob Huggins and the Mountaineer Men's Basketball team beating 7th ranked Notre Dame 72-58 in front of a national audience and over 12,298 screaming fans. It's been a tough years for the Mountaineers after advancing to the Final 4 last season, but anytime you can beat Notre Dame it makes the Mountaineer nation smile just a little bit more.

Have a good day.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Once again I sit in a quiet house in the early AM. I am the first one up and Michelle is in the bedroom sleeping like a log. I've got her coffee set up for her this morning contemplating on what the days plans will hold.

I think we are going to try to get to the trails this morning, weather permitting and let Sadie have a little walk. We did our first trip to the trails this year a couple days ago, and I think we are both ready to get out more now that the weather seems to be looking spring like.

We did have a little setback on the wedding plans this week. The Venue we wanted to use has already been reserved, or at least a portion of it, and it was the main portion we wanted. So, we have been looking into other venues and spinning our brains. The 4 H Camp is reserved and Dorsey's knob has been reserved for our planned weekend.

Weather will not be as nice as it has been the past couple of days, but is manageable.

Have a great day.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday.

I also have to point out that it is a three day weekend for me as Monday is a Federal Holiday and I have the day off. Michelle unfortunately has to work.

Enjoy the nice weather that we have today and have had, because today will be the weekends best weather day. It'll be in the 60's today and will drop into the 40's over the weekend including on Monday.

Hopefully we'll get out and do something this weekend. We're talking about possibly making our first trip to the trails for the year, maybe that could be on our weekend agenda. I know I need to get out and start moving around, I hate this winter crap.

Isabella's Journey

It's been a few weeks since I updated everyone on the Isabella's Journey weight loss challenge.This is a challenge that both Michelle and I accepted and are looking to lose 15 pounds by the end of March.

Isabella has had a little bit of bad luck, as they just found six tumors on her brain and she has been hospitalized.



Here is Mikes weekly advice to everyone.

Don’t eat any food in front of the TV. It’s what I call mindless eating. It’s when you’re mind wanders and you just keep eating whatever is in front of you. Next thing you know the bag is empty, the container is gone, and you really question yourself as to whether or not you really just ate everything that was in front of you. Your meals should be planned and focused. If you are making a conscious effort about your food portions and choices you are much less likely to overeat and make bad decisions.


Spend time outside. Since the weather has given us a little break with warmer temperatures we should be looking to get some activity outside in nature. Go for a hike, find a local trail, climb some hills, do a few pushups. It can really ignite your primal instincts and bring enjoyment to your physical activity. So your home work until next Wednesday is to spend at least 1 hour on 2 separate days in nature performing any type of physical activity.


Please let me know if you have any questions.


Now, on to the BIG Announcement!
In addition to running the 50 miles in support of Isabella I have been working on organizing a fitness event, and I plan on donating a portion of the proceeds to Isabella and her family. The event is titled the Primal Fitness Bash and will be held on June 4, 2011 at the Adamstown Rod & Gun Club. You can see all of the details at www.primalfitnessbash.com. In addition, I have organized a Facebook fan page and a Twitter page to promote the event. Please pass this along to everyone you know. All of the promotional links are at the end of this page.


The idea behind the event is to promote health and fitness, to raise funds for Isabella and her family, and to remember what life is all about, FUN! The day will consist of basic fitness components such as pushups, pull-ups, a rock toss, and a 5K run/walk that will be done in bare feet. Some of you may not have done some of these things since you were in high school, and when is the last time you ran in barefeet? I’m guessing not since you were a kid! Even if you don’t want to participate in any of the events I encourage you to grab a spectator ticket that includes a pig roast and beer. That’s right beer! There’s no reason you can’t be healthy and indulge every once and awhile! Thank you in advance to everyone that helps and registers for the event. Also, if you know of any businesses that would like to sponsor the event please let me know and I can send them the sponsorship form. I already have one sponsor that contributes material to Mens Health and Mens Fitness magazines, which is awesome! But we still need more. Please let me know if you have any questions about the event and I hope to see many of you participate.


-Mike

Mom is having Surgery

I got a call yesterday that my Mother was going to have surgery done today. It should be a same day procedure where she will be able to go home this evening.

They will be operating on her Thyroid Gland and removing it this morning. SEE GOOGLE BODY. Like I said it should be a same day procedure and she should be going home tonight barring any problems such as bleeding.

I guess Kim is going to pick her up and take her today for her 9:30 surgery. I'll try to update everyone as I get updates from Kim.

Tuesdays Tidbits

* Well Monday is once again behind us and we are looking right down the barrel of a Tuesday, I can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* 1,068 Days since Michelle made me sit through that awful movie on our first date. Nearly three years later I am pushing the blame onto her. =)

* 291 Days since I proposed, even though she chose 10,000 BC as the movie of our first date.

* 172 Days until Dr Filcheck will tie mine and Michelle's lives together as man and wife.

* I hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day. I took Michelle out to Puglioni's after work for dinner. Living in this city and on this side of traffic hell, we were lucky enough to get a table right off. We had a few restaurants we were planning on trying to get into, Applebees was probably next on the list. We lucked out.

* We received our latest DVD from Netflix last night. Valkyrie is our latest DVD that we have. We had Kickass for a couple of months until we finally sent it back for our next movie.

* I'm liking this warmer weather and seeing more and more daylight. We're a little less than a month away until Daylight Savings Time.

* Hi ho hi ho

Happy Valentines Day

It's Valentines Day, and I am one lucky guy. Could it be that that I have a great family? Sure could be, but it gets better. Is it because I have a very special group of friends? Absolutely, but it gets even better. Why am I one lucky guy? Her name is Michelle. A woman who came into my life a few years ago and rocked my world. She saved this lost soul and breathed life back into mine.

I am also very lucky because today, that special woman is my Valentine.

Happy Valentines Day Michelle.

Change of Plans.

Well yesterday I said Michelle and I were talking about buying each other a TV for the bedroom for Valentines Day, we however ended up buying a more practical gift. We were walking around and stopped by an item that we have been talking about purchasing for about three years now but just have never done it.

WE were both in agreement that a nice Foodsaver Smartseal was something we could really use as opposed to have something sit and not really use it. We have a freezer and we buy most of our meats and stuff in bulk, this way we can vacuum seal it and store it longer and more efficiently.

Yesterday evening we went to see a movie at the theater. We're still trying to remember the last movie we saw in a theater and we honestly can't remember. We ended up deciding on going to see No Strings Attached with Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher. It was a cute Romantic Comedy that we both enjoyed.

Todays plans after shopping, Co-Ed Baby shower this afternoon at Coaches with many of the people from the softball team. Gonna be a great day.

Quiet Saturday Morning BLOG

I once again sit in a quiet house, I'm pretty sure that everyone is sound asleep and counting sheep jumping over a fence in their dreams. I've been up a little while, already watched the Karate Kid II and The Golden Child on HBO in the early AM.

Today could be a day of shopping for us, we're going to buy a baby shower gift for a couple of our friends tomorrow and we usually go in together and buy each other a large item Valentines Day gift. Two years ago it was a nice Stainless Steel Charbroil Grill, last year it was the entertainment surround sound system and we are contemplating on a new TV for the bedroom this year, but we are still open on that one. The one we put the Wii Remote through a couple years ago is starting to have problems, and we have been using it as a Bedroom TV for a couple of years.

The WVU Men's Basketball team is playing at home today at 4:00. They will be taking on DePaul.

Have a Great Day.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday.

I think this is the first time in a good long while that we have reached a Friday and neither Me, Michelle, Chad or Hayley are sick. I know this streak goes back to believe it or not before Christmas. It's nice to have us both healthy.

We don't have too much planned for this evening other than our weekly date night pizza at Milanos. We've been going there for a few years and all we have to do is walk in the door and they know what we are there for. If you have never had it, I suggest trying them.

If you are one of those people who really like the Boston Beanery, then you might want to turn into the Q Morning show tomorrow morning before 9:00 and get ready for the 50% Friday deal that they are going to offer. For $25.00 you get 5 $10.00 Boston Beanery Coupons. An awesome deal if you like the Beanery.

About the only thing Michelle and I have planned for this week is a baby shower Sunday afternoon at coaches. This one is for both men and women and our friends Chewy and Courtney will be having a baby in the near future. It'll be nice to get together with the guys.

Enjoy your weekend, Hi ho hi ho

Brain Fart Thursday

Every once in a while, even the great writers suffer a brain fart. Well, I'm hardly in that group, but I am suffering from a brainfart and really have nothing to blog about other than writing about not having anything to write about.

I will do better tomorrow.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Monday, Check. Tuesday, Check. hey we are at the over the hump day and on the downhill looking to the weekend.

Office will be a little empty tomorrow, as one of my office mates will be running to Pittsburgh for the day to demonstrate a Silverlight application he has developed. He's found someone interested in pushing it outside of our firewall and publishing a service, which will be good news for us. Being able to publish and serve out would open up a world of opportunities for us.

It is crockpot night in the household. Over the past couple of months we take at least one night out a week and prepare a meal in the crockpot. We set it up the night before and start it when we leave for work. By the time we get home, we have an awesome meal already ready for us. Tonight we bought a sirloin tip and cut it into steaks and a couple of roasts. Today we are preparing one of the roasts for dinner. I love crockpot night and I think Michelle does too. It's a nice little break from cooking and a night to relax in front of her computer and the TV.

Oh well, hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well Monday is now behind us and we are looking at Tuesday, I can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* For those of you counting, and if you are not who cares because I am, it is day 1,061 since mine and Michelle's first date.

* It has been 294 days since our engagement.

* Which means, we are counting down the last 179 days until our wedding later this summer.

* Yesterday was a sad day for me, I was peeled to the radio listening to the final broadcast on WVAQ of the Eric and Kevin show. Thank you once again Eric, my eyes even got a little damp at the end of the show (had to be the humidity).

* How about the Super Bowl. The Steelers gave it all they had and they just came up a little short. They just seemed flat all game, but I still believed they were going to win going into the last drive of the game.

* Have I ever told anyone I hate snow? Let's get the temps up into the 70's and 80's and put this winter behind us. Phil didn't see his shadow.

* Big basketball game in Morgantown last night as the Mountaineers played Pitt, tonight the women take on two time defending National Champion UCONN Huskies. The women have dropped a few games lately, but a win tonight will make everyone forget about all of them. Let's go ladies, bring it home.

* Hi ho hi ho

Thank You Eric McGuire

Today will be the final broadcast from Eric McGuire of the Eric and Kevin Show on WVAQ.

The Story came as a complete surprise to me on Saturday, it seemed like it just came completely out of the blue. I was reading on a post Kevin made and originally thought it was a joke, but sadly it is not.

I want to thank Eric McGuire for his dedicated fifteen years of service of bringing the Morgantown community together each and every day. The show format pretty much turned into a caller dictated format as each and every day the topic of the day was enough entertainment and garnered enough attention to keep everyone calling in.

Eric has touched many of our lives, through his dry sarcastic humor or through his cast of characters like the unforgettable George Frick, my personal favorite. We have celebrated his triumphs and mourned portions of his life with him. He has touched many of our lives, and he has made the city of Morgantown and the community just a friendlier place to be.

Thank you Eric, I will be tuned in today to listen to the final show. You have touched many people and we all hope the very best for you.

I know I am one guy who hopes for the best for the surgery and that you once again return to our airwaves to continue to touch our lives.

Just know that you have entertained so many of us and made our days just a little it better. You will not be forgotten.

Stairway to Seven

It is Super Bowl Sunday!!! The Pittsburgh Steelers will be playing against the Green Bay Packers today in Super Bowl XLV for a chance on winning their unprecedented seventh Lombardi Trophy. This will be the eighth Super Bowl appearance for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the second in Mike Tomlin's young coaching career.

Trish, Arron and Laylas are planning on coming over this afternoon and we will all be watching the game together. It'll be nice, Arron was here a couple of years ago, the last time that Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl against the Arizona Cardinals.

Here is to another Pittsburgh Steeler Super Bowl Victory!!!!




How about a tribute to all the Steelers who have made them who they are.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

I once again sit in a quiet house on a peaceful Saturday morning with nothing but my computer in from of me and not a peep coming from anywhere in the house. I can hear Michelle's fan running in the bedroom and the Television on some insignificant program in the background as I write this.

Big Basketball game in Morgantown today at 4:00. Today is the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Pink Zone game. It's when the women on both teams wear pink and we try to pack the coliseum to support the Lady Mountaineers.

What we do today depends on Michelle's health. She has had to come home from work for the past two days with the stomach flu. It's been hard for her to keep anything down, so I guess we will just have to wait and see how she is doing before we determine what we are going to do today.

She ordered a cake from Nonna's Bakery here in Morgantown to take to work. She saved me a piece and all I can say is WOW is that one heck of a good cake. A little pricey, but well worth it.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

.

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday.

Well the excite for this weekend is going to be Sunday evening when the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have already won more Super Bowls than any other team will attempt to add one more to their total of six. Lombardi Trophy number Seven (ironic we are playing the Packers) will be up for grabs Sunday evening in Dallas (How ironic is that).

I think everyone in Pittsburgh is ready for the game and I do mean everyone!

Football Letter of Intents are In

Yesterday to college football recruiting buffs was Letter of Intent Day. This is the day that verbals are now signed and delivered and a recruits and schools make a binding agreement to each other.

The Mountaineers signed a number of recruits yesterday that I would like to Welcome to the Mountaineer Family. There are five that had already graduated High School Early and enrolled in January and are already working out with the team, the other 17 will be here this fall.

The thing about recruiting classes is you never know how they will turn out until their careers are over with. High rankings really mean nothing if the recruit doesn't qualify or just doesn't live up to the hype put on them by sports writers.

I guess with College Letters of Intents signed and the NFL Pro Bowl already played, the last football of the season will be played Sunday as the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl.

I LOVE YOU PHIL!!!!!!!!

Phil, King of all groundhogs. On your 125th Birthday from Gobblers Knob you declared two great things. One, that the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the Super Bowl. Great news but that is not the reason everyone made the trek to Gobblers Knob.

And two, he saw NO SHADOW!!!!!!! This means Spring is right around the corner. Come on over tonight for some of that good home made meat loaf tonight Phil, you will be the king of the household. We will celebrate by swinging Terrible Towels and drinking wine and feasting.

I was walking into my office this morning and noticed the buds on the trees and felt like Spring was right around the corner. Phil has supported this!!!


It is your day oh KING OF ALL GROUNDHOGS!!

OK Phil, it's your day

OK Phil, king of all that he sees, today is your day. Today is the day when thousands of people will come to see you on Gobbler's Knob and will celebrate you.

It is you that controls our weather future, and Phil. yesterday at work I saw a bush outside of my office that actually has tiny little baby green leaves starting to grow on it. This has to be a good sign, I think you could ignore that shadow thing if you see it today and let us end this dreadful weather that we have experienced all winter long. Let those little green leaves turn into fully developed green leaves. Talk to Mother Nature, if you can bring spring around a little early I would be very appreciative of you.

Oh Phil, we are planning on having meatloaf for dinner tonight. Stop by this evening and we will either feed you with some great beef meatloaf or you can feed us with Michelle's Special Groundhog Meatloaf. I don't want the free Phil meat for my meatloaf, I am more than willing to buy some fresh beef and share it with you my Rhodent buddy.

Do the right thing old pal.

Tuesdays Tidbits

* It's Tuesday, can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* It's been 1,054 days since Mine and Michelle's first date. We're going on three magical years together.

* It's been 277 days since the engagement.

* 186 days until the wedding.

* Michelle showed me a neat link yesterday. It's called Eagle Cam and is based out of Shepardstown, West Virginia. It's a couple of Eagles that have built a nest and the female should be laying her eggs here in the next week. It's an interesting watch for anyone with a little time on their hands.

* It's getting closer to the Super Bowl. You know it's gotta kill Dallas fans to see Pittsburgh and Green Bay playing for it in Dallas. Winning the Super Bowl in Dallas would be sweet though.

* Hi ho hi ho